2012 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2012 · GS Paper I

Question 10: Polity and Governance

Which of the following are included in the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court?

  1. 1.A dispute between the Government of India and one or more States
  2. 2.A dispute regarding elections to either House of the Parliament or that of Legislature of a State
  3. 3.A dispute between the Government of India and a Union Territory
  4. 4.A dispute between two or more States

Select the correct answer using the codes given below :

a1 and 2
b2 and 3
c1 and 4
d3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

Article 131 gives the Supreme Court exclusive original jurisdiction in disputes between the Centre and one or more States, and between two or more States, where a legal right is involved. Election disputes of Parliament and State Legislatures go to the High Courts as election petitions. Union Territories are not States, so a dispute between the Centre and a Union Territory is not covered. Only disputes about the President's and Vice-President's elections go straight to the Supreme Court.

  • 1. Centre versus one or more States is under Article 131.
  • 2. Disputes on elections to Parliament or State Legislatures go to High Courts.
  • 3. Union Territories are not States; Article 131 does not cover them.
  • 4. Disputes between two or more States are under original jurisdiction.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 1 out.

    What you needed to know: Centre versus one or more States is under Article 131.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Disputes on elections to Parliament or State Legislatures go to High Courts.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 3 or 4.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: election disputes of Parliament or State Legislatures are heard by High Courts.
  • (b) Wrong: neither election disputes nor Centre versus Union Territory disputes fall in original jurisdiction.
  • (c) Correct: Centre versus States and State versus State disputes are original jurisdiction.
  • (d) Wrong: a dispute with a Union Territory is not covered, as Union Territories are not States.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2012, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.